The Youth and Christian Education Department is planning and coordinating the annual STEP missions trips to the Casa Hogar Alfa y Omega Orphanage in Poza Rica, Mexico. The dates of the 2009 trips are: January 9-16, June 9-16, and July 9-16. Each of these trips will provide opportunities for participants to be involved in work projects as well as ministry, along with some adventure. For nine years, Tony Lane, YCE Coordinator of Discipleship and Children’s Ministries, has been coordinating these missions trip opportunities. Hundreds have participated and many continue to go after their first trip on an annual basis. Lee Claypoole, Student Pastor and Upcoming Church Planter, has stated that this trip was ‘the most life-changing experience for my students and myself in 22 years of youth ministry.’
These week-long adventures are transformational! While the primary focus will be ministry to the workers and children living at the orphanage, there will also be opportunities for engaging the Mexican culture. A visit to the El Tajin pyramids, staying in Mexico City overnight, and a bus ride from Mexico City to Poza Rica, will provide participants a wide variety of encounters with culture.
Church youth groups, individuals, children’s groups, and families are invited to participate. The focus of the January trip will be to provide Christmas parties and gifts for the children and workers living at Casa Hogar, as well as for families living in the trash dump. Donations are being sought for the trip in order to purchase gifts once the team arrives in Mexico. STEP participants will also be given the opportunity to assist in a training event for Church of God pastors and leaders throughout the region.
Journal entries and pictures of previous trips can be seen by going to www.ycechurchofgod.org. Click on children and scroll down to Poza Rica. For additional information or to secure a reservation as an individual or a group, call 423-478-7229 or email Tony Lane, tlane@churchofgod.org. A promotional DVD is available.